I Permanently Deleted My Files, Then I Recovered Them

Step 1: Stop Using Your Computer (as soon as possible) • Important: The key to recovering deleted files is to minimize computer use immediately after deletion. Continued use increases the risk of overwriting the deleted data, making recovery much harder or even impossible. Step 2: Check Your Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac) Before assuming the files are permanently lost, check your Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac) as sometimes deleted files can still be recovered from there. For Windows: • Double-click on the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop. • Look for the deleted files. If you find them, right-click and select Restore to recover them to their original location. For Mac: • Open the Trash by clicking on its icon in the Dock. • Look for the deleted files. If found, right-click and select Put Back to restore them to their original location. Step 3: Use File History (Windows) or Time Machine (Mac) If you have File History (Windows) or Time Machine (Mac) set up, you can recover previous versions of files, even if they’ve been deleted. For Windows (File History): • Go to the folder where the file was originally stored. • Right-click the folder and select Restore previous versions. • A list of available versions will appear. Choose the version you want to restore and click Restore. For Mac (Time Machine): • Open the folder where the file was stored. • Click the Time Machine icon in the menu bar and select Enter Time Machine. • Use the timeline on the right side to find a backup from when the file was still there. • Once you’ve located the file, select it and click Restore. Step 4: Use a File Recovery Tool If the files aren’t in the Recycle Bin/Trash and you don’t have a backup, you can use a file recovery tool. There are many tools available that can scan your computer’s storage for deleted files and attempt to restore them. Popular File Recovery Tools:• Recuva (Windows)• EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard (Windows/Mac)• Disk Drill (Windows/Mac)• MiniTool Power Data Recovery (Windows/Mac) Here’s a general guide using Recuva as an example for Windows: Step 5: Recuva (Windows) • Download and Install Recuva: ccleaner.com/recuva and download the free version. • Install the software on a different drive than the one where your deleted files were stored (ideally a different partition or external drive) to avoid overwriting deleted data. • Launch Recuva: • Open the program and follow the wizard. • Select the File Type: • The wizard will ask you what type of file you are trying to recover (e.g., documents, pictures, videos, etc.). Choose the file type for better results, or choose “All Files” for a more thorough scan. • Choose the Location: • Select the location where the files were stored (e.g., your hard drive, an external drive, or USB). If you’re unsure, select I’m not sure and it will scan your entire computer. • Scan for Deleted Files: • Click Start to begin the scan. The program will search for recoverable files. • Preview and Recover: • Once the scan is complete, you’ll see a list of recoverable files. Recuva will show you the recovery status (e.g., green for excellent, yellow for poor, and red for overwritten). • Select the files you want to recover and click Recover. Save them to a different drive to avoid overwriting other data. Step 6: Use Disk Drill (Windows/Mac) Disk Drill is another powerful tool that works on both Windows and Mac. Here’s a basic guide: • Download Disk Drill: cleverfiles.com/ • Install the tool and launch it. • Select the Drive where the files were deleted from. • Choose the deep scan option for a thorough search (this takes longer but is more likely to find deleted files). • Scan the drive and wait for the process to finish. • Once completed, you’ll see the list of recoverable files. Select and recover the files you need. Step 7: Professional Data Recovery (If Necessary) If the above methods fail to recover your files, professional data recovery services might be your last resort. These services are expensive, but they are often able to recover data that software cannot. Look for certified data recovery companies or services that specialize in file recovery, such as: • Ontrack Data Recovery • DriveSavers Important Tips for File Recovery: • Don’t Save New Data: As mentioned earlier, avoid saving new files or installing recovery tools on the drive where your files were deleted, as this can overwrite the deleted data. • Use the Right Recovery Tool: Different tools specialize in different file types, so if you’re looking for specific file types (like photos or documents), it’s worth choosing a tool that focuses on recovering those file types. • Act Quickly: The sooner you attempt to recover the files, the higher the chance of success. Files that have been deleted but not overwritten can usually be recovered, but once the space is overwritten, recovery becomes much harder or impossible.